Control system



April 12, 1938. J. KIMBALL 2,113,943

CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Feb. 18, 1936 MVVENTORL I Patented Apr. 12, 19 38 PATENT- OFFICE coN'mor. SYSTEM James Lewis Kimball, Danvera, Mass., assignor to Ruggles-Klingemann Mtg. 00., Salem, Mass:

Application Februari 1a, 1936, Serial No. 04,539

5 Claims. (01. 50-10) This invention relates to regulators for general use in fluid systems such as the control of pressure, temperature; or other like physical conditions to maintain the same within definite predetermined limits.

The principal object of my invention is to provide a periodic actuation of the regulating means, the degree of said actuation varying with variations from normal in the condition of the sys- 10 tem with a variable time delay between each pcriod of operation whereby time-lag of the'system may be compensated for and a condition of 5 further degree of operation.

In regulators of the class disclosed. which do not embody the novel features of my invention and where there is a time lag in the response of the system to actuations by the control mechar- 30 nism, the condition of the system will fluctuate to a greater or less degree depending on the extent of the time lag because the control mechanism 1 .will over correct and operate with a continuoushunting action.

which include the novel features of my invention, the time delay between each period of actuation will be such as ,to allow the time lag of the system to be taken up before proceeding to a further 40 actuation and therefore the time lag of the system is compensated tor and an unstable operav tion of the control mechanism is avoided.

My invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig.

45 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of the essential elements which go to make up a complete con- 'trol system of the relay type. Fig. 2 shows a thermostatic element which may be substituted for the pressure sensitive element when the 5g mechanism is to be employed for temperature 55 ing out the objects of my invention. A pilot valve In the operation of regulators of this class, then the tappet screws 30' and 8| will be ad- 4 controls a source of pressure for operating valve i. The pilot'valve has admission valve 5 and ex haust valve '8. A rocker arm I is actuated by lever 8 adapted to actuate either valve 5 or 5. Springs 8 and I normally hold these valvesina closed position. The raising of lever 8 opens valve admitting pressure to diaphragm chamber II and closing valvel. Likewise a downward movement of lever "8 willflrst close valve '5 and thenopen valve 6 exhausting pressure "from chamber H and allowing spring 8 to open valve i. ii. pressure sensitive device i2 has flexible diaphragm I3 and pressure chamber H which chamber is connected to the pressure system which it is required to control. The pressure on diaphragm i3 is counteracted by the spring i5. This flexible diaphragm l3 has a pressure plate "and rod I l which connects-the diaphragm II with a link l8 so as to operate the'same. Link i8 supports two horizontal floating levers l8 and 28 {which are pivoted on link lit at points 2i and 22. A continuous operating motor 23 of the clock type having gear reduction to 1 R. P. M. is usually. found suitable for the purposes of this invention, altho with excessive time lag a greater speed reduction is often required. This motor 28 operates cam 24-to alternately rock floating levers l9 and 20 about pivot points 2| and 22. Abutments 25 and 28 are connected to levers l9. and 20 and are held in contact with cam 24 by spring In operation. motor leads 2 8 and 28 are con"- nected to a suitable source of electric energy and cam 24 starts turning. Now assuming that the pressure of the system is at a mean average value.=

'iusted to barely clear arm 8 when the projecting or 28. I

Now assuming there was an increase in the pressure in the system which would cause diaphragm 18 to be forced upward against the tension at spring it which would raise pivot points 2i and 22. then as cam projection 24-A passed over abutment 25 tappet screw 88 would con-. tact with lever 8 momentarily opening valve 8 and admitting pressure to chamber l I and slightly closing valve l.

0n the other hand, should there be a slight drop in pressure then as cam passed over abutment 28 lever 20 would in like manner be rocked on pivot point 2| and tappet screw it would contact with the upper side of lever 8' to openexhaust valve 6 and discharge a slight amount of pressure ,from chamber ll which would allow spring 3 to slightly openvalve l and supply the deficiency in pressure. It will be understood that if there is a larger variation from normal in the system, then either valve 5 or 6, depending on whether the variation is above or below normal, will be opened wider and for a longer period 01. time thus correcting the larger variations from normal, and furthermore if there is an extreme variation from normal then either abutment 25 or 26 as the case may be will be forced away from contact with cam 24 against the tension of' spring 21 and one of the valves 5 or 6 will be held open continuously until normal pressure 'is restored.

correction is within the scope oi my invention.

I, therefore, wish to have it understood that I do not desire to be restricted to the exact details of construction -and arrangement of the parts shown and described, but that only such limitations shall'be imposed as are indicated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a control system for the regulation of a condition to maintain the same within a predetermined value, comprising means for controlling said condition, fluid pressure means for'actuating the controlling means, a valve for controlling the fluid pressure means, an element sensitive to variation from normal in said condition, a floating member adapted to be operated by the variation in said sensitive element, and electric Opel?- ated means including a cam in engagement with and adapted to rock said floating member to cause a periodic actuation of said valve when said condition acting on the sensitive element varies from its normal value and a uniform period of rest between each period of operation.

2. In acontrol valve comprising a valve casing having admission and exhaust valves, said valves having a neutral position in which both valves are closed, means for alternately opening either one-or the other of said valves, .a floating member for operating said means, a pressure sensitive. device for actuating the floating member,

and electric operated means including a cam in engagement with and adapted to rock said floating member to cause a periodic actuation of either one or the other of said valves depending on the value of the pressure on the pressure sensitive device and having a uniform nonresponsive period between each period of operation.

3. In a pressure system, a valve for controlling the pressure in the system, fluidpressure means for actuating the valve, a pilot valve for controlling the fluid pressure means, a floating member for operating the pilot valve, a pressure sensitive device for actuating the floating member and electric operated means includinga cam in engagement with said floating member co-acting with the pressure sensitive device adapted to rock said floating member to cause aperiodic actuating of said pilot valve when the pressure acting on the pressure sensitive device varies from its normal value.

4. In a control system for the regulation of a condition to maintain the same within predetermined limits, comprising means for controlling said condition, fluid pressure motive means for actuating the controlling means, a control valve for controlling a source of pressure to operate the fluid pressure motive means, a floating member for operating the control valve, a device sensitive to the condition to be controlled, pivoted to and adapted to position the floating member, and a continuous operating cam adapted to rock said-floating member on said pivot to cause actuation of said control valve when said condition departs from said predetermined limits.

5. In a controhsystem fonhe fig'ulation of a condition to maintain the same within predetermined limits, comprising means for controlling said condition, fluid pressure motive means for actuating the controlling means, a control valve for controlling a source of pressure to operate periods of operation varying in time and extent in accordance with variations in the positioning ofsaid member.

JAMES LEWIS KIMBALL. 

